Using footnotes for link reminders while writing

At Homebrew Website Club this evening ^1, I shared that I do not regularly add links to my content, except in the cases where I am referencing a resource by name or quoting someone else. I forget to add links to interesting resources that I have published before, or other content on the web that may be relevant. After stating that I don't add many links to my content out loud, I realised why: adding links has always been a separate part of my editorial process.

When I produce a piece of content, I am focusing on the words on the page, working hard to articulate the ideas in my mind in the way that I want. After I am happy with the contents of a post and have added the requisite images and made any amendments that I feel are relevant, I get excited about posting content and publish my content live.

Adding links to my content has always felt a bit laborious. I can't always recall the interesting resources on a subject matter.

This evening, Tantek shared that he adds footnotes to his content as he is writing. By doing so, one can denote that you want to add a link to a piece of content and leave yourself a reminder that a link may be appropriate. This happens as part of the writing process, rather than as another one of the steps that happen before publishing (content changes, formatting, adding code snippets, adding images, preparing a piece for publishing).

As I wrote the previous paragraph, I realised I haven't added a mental link in my mind. I have gone back to add a reference in the first paragraph to remind me that I want to add in a link to my content.

In my writing, I'm going to try Tantek's technique and see if adding footnotes as I write encourages me to add more links to my content. The IndieWeb wiki has a page on footnotes, too ^2, that I shall review for more inspiration.

Also posted on IndieNews.

Tagged in writing, links.